Moussvroum Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 (edited) Hello everybody, I want to share with you my last project which is the realization of a HDPE stormtrooper helmet. My goal is to make a helmet as accurate as possible. The forum helps me a lot because it is full of valuable advice and I want to thank you all ! I first trimmed and assembled the helmet which is a 2mm khaki HDPE kit from Dark Agent. HDPE is very easy to cut. I was afraid because I used to work on ABS helmets : you can cut HDPE like butter ! I’ve prepared the green acetate film, the S trim and U trim and the foam. I assembled the two parts with two rivets on each side. For the paint to hold, I first flame treated the helmet with a blowtorch and then I cleaned it thoroughly with ethanol. I’ve found this tip here. (Be careful not to use the torch next to ethanol!). Believe me, it's very impressive to pass a flame on his helmet! I applied 3 layers of Rust-Oleum red primer (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes). First layer : Now I will wait a week that it dries. I also assembled and painted the mic-tips that are not those of the kit but those a friend gave me (I find them more accurate -Thanks Javier ). I used a black satin paint. Next time : the white paint ... Edited July 17, 2017 by Moussvroum 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swibowoj[TK] Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 nice HDPE Bucket. any link for the seller ? Just wondering, why did you paint brown color ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted June 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) Here is his FB : https://www.facebook.com/theshedofglitteringdelights/ In 1977 they used a brown primer before white painting. Edited May 6, 2019 by Moussvroum error on date Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themaninthesuitcase[Admin] Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 I keep toying with one of these when Andy sells them. I'll be watching this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 Hi everybody, I've found some time to apply the white paint ( 4 layers of Rust-Oleum white gloss (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes)). Now, It must drie ... (more picture in natural light soon ) I've a problem for the tube strips. I want to paint them and I usually use a masking template from TB but it's on ABS helmets ... If I do that on this one, I think the white paint could be remove when I'll remove the template. Any idea ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 (edited) In natural light ... Edited July 14, 2017 by Moussvroum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parquette[TK] Posted July 14, 2017 Report Share Posted July 14, 2017 On 6/16/2017 at 3:33 PM, Moussvroum said: Hello everyone, I wanted to share with you my last project which is the realization of a HDPE stormtrooper helmet. My goal is to make a helmet as accurate as possible. The forum helps me a lot because it is full of valuable advice and I want to thank you all ! I first trimmed and assembled the helmet which is a 2mm khaki HDPE kit from Dark Agent. HDPE is very easy to cut. I was afraid because I used to work on ABS helmets : you can cut HDPE like butter ! I’ve prepared the green acetate film, the S trim and U trim and the foam. I assembled the two parts with two rivets on each side. For the paint to hold, I first flame treated the helmet with a blowtorch and then I cleaned it thoroughly with ethanol. I’ve found this tip here. (Be careful not to use the torch next to ethanol!). Believe me, it's very impressive to pass a flame on his helmet! I applied 3 layers of Rust-Oleum red primer (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes). First layer : Now I will wait a week that it dries. I also assembled and painted the mic-tips that are not those of the kit but those a friend gave me (I find them more accurate -Thanks Javier ). I used a black satin paint. Next time : the white paint ... What make are the mic tips? Where could I get a set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 Mic tips are in resin. A friend a mine give me them a long time ago ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2017 Painting details ... I'm not very happy with the white color. Not as glossy than I thought. May by because I usually work on ABS helmets. Wondering if I should apply a glossy coat when finished (but it won't be accurate ... ). Never mind, I've started painting details. Even with a white paint on it, HDPE is difficult to paint ! It'll need two layers. I used a masking template for the strips (13 teeth on the right, 14 on the left). We'll see when I'll remove it ... Colors : - Humbrol Enamel 20014 "Bleu de France brillant" - Humbrol Enamel 20005 "Gris amiral brillant" I confirm that the paint is fragile. A little piece have gone near the right ear when I removed it ... (but it's accurate !!! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) First a picture of the inside : red oxydine + white + green HDPE = dirt pink. Like the original Today I've done the paint details : - vocoder in gloss black (Humbrol Enamel), - grey on the temples and the the dome (3 layers) + details in black, - removing the mic tips template : it was easy but the teeth are not perfect ... As we say in France "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien", "Better is sometime worse than good" . I've decided to keep it like that. Edited July 17, 2017 by Moussvroum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted July 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2017 - Have fixed the mic tips, put the U brown trim, screwed the ear. The screws are painted in white. - S neck trim - Have put the acetate green film for lenses. It's not easy to fit - Foam (canvas from Whitearmor forum ), straps (from TB). The result is not perfect but the overall is good. The paint job was difficult. I don't know if I'll do some weathering ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CableGuy[Admin] Posted May 5, 2019 Report Share Posted May 5, 2019 I know this thread is a little older now, however, I’ve just re-read it and and VERY impressed with the results. Top job, David! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moussvroum Posted May 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2019 Thanks ! This helmet is one of my favorites ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.